American Gelbvieh Association www gelbvieh org Frank Padilla

American Gelbvieh Association www. gelbvieh. org Frank Padilla, AGA Director of Breed Promotion

King Ranch has developed a composite breed of cattle that, in addition to withstanding harsh South Texas and semi-tropical climatic conditions, better responds to the changing tastes of many contemporary beef consumers.

Recognizing that many consumers desired a better marbled and tenderer cut of beef, King Ranch, under the leadership of Tio and Scott Kleberg and aided by breeding specialists, over the course of more than a decade of intensive research and development, created a new composite beef animal that reflected this shift in consumer preferences. To produce this new composite, King Ranch breeding specialists first crossed Santa Gertrudis cows with Red Angus and Gelbvieh bulls.

This initial union produced 1/2 Santa Gertrudis and 1/2 Red Angus males and females, as well as 1/2 Santa Gertrudis and 1/2 Gelbvieh males and females. These half bloods were then crossed back on each other to produce a 1/2 Santa Gertrudis, 1/4 Red Angus and 1/4 Gelbvieh composite animal, now known as the Santa Cruz. King Ranch is continually upgrading the cattle through a rigorous selection process.

Southern Balancer TM Maintains environmental compatibility that the region demands Allows for additional marketing opportunities Genetic evaluation for hybrids Marketing assistance/programs Additional retained heterosis

Why Gelbvieh? Unmatched female performance/fertility Combination of maternal and carcass Calving ease and quiet dispositions Progressive breed association-DNA and genetic evaluation technology Customer service Marketing assistance and programs Proven track record with producers already having programs implemented

“The future ain’t what it used to be” Yogi Berra

The victory we call success goes to the best prepared, self taught, responsible person, who sees the opportunity and is willing to seize it.

www. gelbvieh. org

Presenters Dr. Joe Paschal, Ph. D. Texas A & M Professor & Extension Livestock Specialist Corpus Christi Extension Center Susan Willman Director of Breed Improvement American Gelbvieh Association